PGA threatens to move events from North Carolina

Add the Professional Golfers' Association to the growing list of sports entities, athletes or coaches that have publicly condemned and threatened action against the state of North Carolina due to the controversial bathroom law, House Bill 2.

On the same day the NBA announced it would move the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, after repeated threats to lawmakers to amend the law that nullifies local anti-discrimination ordinances and bars transgender people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, the PGA released its own strongly-worded statement on Thursday.

"The PGA of American strongly opposes North Carolina HB2," it read.

"It contradicts our commitment to create an inclusive and welcoming environment at our events. We remain hopeful that the law will be changed.

"Since the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte is a private facility not subject to all of the provisions of HB2, at the 2017 PGA Championship we plan to allow spectators to use the restroom that conforms with their gender identity or gender expression.

"As we look to future events, our willingness to consider coming back to the state of North Carolina will be severely impacted unless HB2 is overturned."

Aside from hosting the PGA Championship in 2017, Quail Hollow Country Club is also home to the PGA's annual Wells Fargo Championship.

The 2024 U.S. Open is scheduled to return to Pinehurst, as is the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship and the 2019 U.S. Amateur Championship.

Losing any PGA-hosted events in North Carolina would cost local economies millions of dollars.

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